Papua New Guinea/Society

Society in Papua New Guinea

An overview of key social indicators. Select a category for detailed trends, charts, and insights.

Explore Social Domains

Demographics

Coming Soon
Population
10.4M(2023)
Population Growth
1.8%(2023)
Fertility Rate
3.10(2023)
Death Rate
6.5 per 1k(2023)
Net Migration
-707(2024)

Public Health

Coming Soon
Life Expectancy
66.1 years(2023)
Under-5 Mortality
40.3 per 1k(2023)
Maternal Mortality
189 per 100k(2023)
Health Expenditure
2.6%(2022)

Education & Human Capital

Coming Soon
Literacy Rate
70.1%(2017)
Primary Enrollment
73.7%(2016)
Secondary Enrollment
44.4%(2018)
Tertiary Enrollment
2(1999)
Education Expenditure
1.3%(2021)

Infrastructure & Connectivity

Coming Soon
Internet Users
24.1%(2023)
Access to Electricity
20.5%(2023)
Access to Basic Drinking Water
50.2%(2022)
Urban Population
1.4M(2023)
Rural Population
9M(2023)

Current Social Overview of Papua New Guinea

A summary based on key social and demographic indicators.

  • Papua New Guinea has an estimated population of 10.4M
    2023
    A steady annual growth rate of 1.8%
    2023
    supports sustained population expansion, providing a stable base for economic development. With a fertility rate of 3.1 births per woman
    2023
    , the population maintains momentum, necessitating strategic investments in social infrastructure. Net emigration is relatively minor, impacting the population by approximately 707 individuals annually (or -0.1 per 1,000 inhabitants)
    2024
    .
  • Regarding public health, Healthcare outcomes show foundational progress with a life expectancy of 66.1 years
    2023
    , yet significant disparities or developmental gaps may still exist. Concurrently, Healthcare delivery faces significant systemic challenges, as evidenced by elevated child mortality (under 5 years) (40.3 per 1,000 live births
    2023
    and maternal mortality (189 per 100,000 live births
    2023
    ) rates, suggesting areas for critical intervention and resource allocation. These outcomes are supported by limited healthcare spending, at 2.6% of GDP
    2022
    , which may constrain comprehensive health system improvements and the attainment of higher health outcomes.
  • Basic literacy development shows promise at 70%
    2017
    , but substantial and targeted investment is required to expand educational access and improve outcomes comprehensively. Complementing this, while primary education reaches 74% of children
    2016
    , secondary enrollment at 44%
    2018
    suggests significant attrition challenges that may hinder higher skill development and future economic potential. This educational framework is supported by limited educational investment, at 1.3% of GDP
    2021
    , which may constrain the scale and quality of future human capital development initiatives.
  • In terms of infrastructure and connectivity, the primarily rural population distribution (86% rural population
    2023
    ) presents distinct challenges for universal infrastructure provision, service access, and economic modernization. Furthermore, critical infrastructure gaps are evident, with electricity access at 21%
    2023
    and internet penetration at 24%
    2023
    severely limiting economic potential, hindering social development, and impeding digital integration.

Key Development Insights

Population Dynamics

A youthful, rapidly growing population presents a "demographic dividend" opportunity if met with sufficient investment in jobs and services.

Public Health System

Addressing critical gaps in the healthcare system is essential to improve lagging indicators like life expectancy and maternal mortality.

Human Capital Formation

Improving foundational literacy and secondary school completion is a critical priority for unlocking future economic potential.

Infrastructure & Connectivity

Expanding access to basic infrastructure, particularly electricity, remains a key bottleneck for broad-based development.

More About This Country

Neighbors & Regional Peers

Note: The information on this page has been compiled from authoritative sources. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, please note that some figures may not be current or entirely precise.